You might not have symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. As the condition progresses, you might develop:

•    Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)

•    Blurred vision

•    Fluctuating vision

•    Dark or empty areas in your vision

•   Vision loss

Treatment

 

Eye injections for diabetic retinopathy

 

 

Medicines injected into the eye such as anti-VEGF drugs (eg. Ranibizumab biosimilars, Accentrix,  Avastin , Eylea and Pagenax) and steroids (eg. Triamcinolone and Ozudex) are commonly used to treat diabetic macular edema . Both anti-VEGF and steroid medications have been provento be highly effective in reducing macular edema and improving vision.

The anti-VEGF agents are generally considered as the first line therapy for treating most cases. Repeat injections may be necessary for long-term control of the retinopathy.

The injections are performed in the operation theatre using topical anaesthetic eye drops. They are very well tolerated and complications like infections are rare. Steroid injections may be associated with elevated eye pressure.

 

 

Laser

Laser photocoagulation is a well known treatment for diabetic retinopathy

To perform th eprocedure laser is delivered  to treat the leaky retinal blood vessels or promote shrinkage of abnormal blood vessels (neovascularization)

Laser photocoagulation is performed in the out patient setting with the patient seated in front of the laser unit. The eye is anesthetized with drops and a contact lens may be placed on the eye to focus the laser-aiming beam. Patient may sense bright flashes of lights and occasionally a pinching sensation. Some people may experience discomfort during laser procedure, but is generally well-tolerated .

 

 

Vitrectomy

People with diabetic retinopathy may require vitrectomy surgery in an operating room setting. Vitrectomy is performed when there is bleeding or retinal traction that is causing loss of vision in advanced diabetic retinopathy. In this surgical procedure, small instruments are inserted into the eye under microscopic visualization to remove the vitreous hemorrhage and any scar tissue . Laser photocoagulation may be performed during the surgery, and in some cases, a gas bubble or silicone oil may be injected to hold the retina in position . The prognosis of vision improvement after  vitrectomy surgery depends upon the status of the underlying diabetic retina.